Child rapist Ambrose Clifton jailed for 14 years

A 71-year-old man who raped a child under the age of 13 has been jailed for 14 years at Lincoln Crown Court.

The sentencing of Ambrose Clifton, from South Reston, near Louth in Lincolnshire, was delayed after he needed treatment for a serious illness.

The jury at Clifton's trial heard he threatened the child's life and the life of the child's mother to keep his victim quiet.

He was arrested in 2010 after the child reported what had happened.

Clifton had denied charges of rape, sexual assault, causing a child to engage in sexual activity, making an indecent photograph of a child and taking an indecent photograph but was convicted on all counts at his trial earlier in the year.

'No remorse'

Passing sentence, Recorder Gareth Evans QC told Clifton: "You have been convicted on what I believe was overwhelming evidence.

"You know the outcome is going to be a long custodial sentence."

Timothy Spencer, QC, defending, said Clifton suffered from serious health problems and was likely to die in prison.

Det Con David Moxham said after the hearing: "This has been one of the most distressing cases I have dealt with.

"The child's family, quite understandably, have been devastated by the whole episode and are appalled that the trust they placed in Clifton has been betrayed.

"Ambrose Clifton has showed no remorse and continues to deny the offences in the face of the compelling evidence that convinced the jury of his guilt."